SAN ANTONIO, TX  (April 29, 2009) – San Antonio College has two new vice presidents, who were approved Tuesday by the Alamo Colleges’ Board of Trustees following a recommendation from SAC President Robert E. Zeigler. Jessica Howard, Ph.D., is the college’s new vice president of academic affairs and Robert H. Vela Jr., Ed.D., is vice president of student affairs.

    “As we went through the selection process for a new executive vice president, the administrative team evaluated our college structure and after consulting with various college constituencies, we decided to make an organizational change.

   “At Tuesday’s meeting the board approved our recommendation to establish the two vice presidents,” Zeigler said.   “Both Dr. Howard and Dr. Vela are excellent administrators and in their new roles will strengthen the administrative team and enable us to enhance our student success efforts.”

   Howard has served as SAC interim executive vice president since July 2008.  “I am excited and honored to serve as vice president of academic affairs,” she said.   Howard holds a Ph.D. in Performance Studies from New York University and, from Rice University, a master of music in theory, a bachelor of music in theory, and a bachelor of arts in English.
Howard joined the college as an adjunct professor in 1998 and was named chair of Music and Humanities Department in 2002.   She is the former vice-chair and was elected chair of the SAC Faculty Senate. Prior to joining SAC, she was the director of fine arts at Saint Mary’s Hall.
 
    Howard is a member of Leadership San Antonio; College Liaison Officer, Community College Humanities Association; member, American Association of Women in Community Colleges; member, Texas Community College Teachers Association; advisory board member, San Antonio International Piano Competition; and former Vice President for Audience Development, San Antonio Symphony League.
 
   Honors for Howard include being the 2006 San Antonio College Nominee for Minnie Stevens Piper Professor, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award in Teaching 2007, and Community College Humanities Association Distinguished Service Award 2007.  “I’ve been active in trying to increase graduation rates, improve developmental education and spearhead the faculty-staff accountability initiative at the college,” she said.

   New vice president of student affairs Vela joined SAC as dean of student affairs in August 2008. He was previously the dean of student development at San Jacinto College – North Campus in Houston. Prior to that, he was coordinator/counselor at Coastal Bend College and the director of teacher development center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
    
     “I am extremely honored regarding my new appointment as SAC’s vice president of student affairs. I believe this appointment speaks volumes to Dr. Zeigler’s commitment to students’ needs and their success,” Vela said.

    “In my new role, I will ensure that student success remains our core value. I want to take this opportunity to thank the students, faculty, staff and administration at San Antonio College for making this college a wonderful place to work.”

   Vela earned a educational doctorate in a joint program in educational leadership from Texas A&M Kingsville and Texas A&M Corpus Christi; a master’s degree in counseling and guidance and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology, both from Texas A&M – Kingsville. He is also a licensed professional counselor and a national certified counselor.

   Vela is a member of the National Council on Student Development, the Texas Public Policy Committee Representative for NASPA Region III, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, American College Counseling Association, Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development, American Counseling Association, National Association of Developmental Education, and Texas Community College Teachers Association.